Lake County & Illinois Coyotes

Coyotes in Lake County - 11/17/2014

Coyotes in Illinois are protected under the Illinois Wildlife Code. In urban or suburban areas, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources recommends hiring a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, who is licensed by the State of Illinois to remove the coyote from the area. By Illinois law, the animal can only be removed if it is causing property damage or is a risk to human health or safety.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has recommended the following:

Contact the District Wildlife Biologist if you intend to remove the coyote yourself because you must first qualify for a Nuisance Animal Removal Permit.

Contact local police for sick, threatening or injured animals only.

Coyotes are a common wild animal in this area of Illinois. The Chicagoland area has seen a dramatic increase in the coyote population since the 1990s, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources estimates there are more than 30,000 coyotes in Illinois. Usually they reside in wooded areas; however, they enter residential neighborhoods occasionally.

As a result, the Deerfield Police Department has received a number of coyote sighting reports. But despite common misconceptions about coyotes, they are not likely to cause problems.

The following information on our subpages / menu is intended to educate residents about coyotes and the steps you can take to discourage them from frequenting residential area.

Coyotes' Diet

A coyote’s diet mainly consists of small rodents, deer, rabbits and fruit. However, they will take advantage of the most available prey. They can be attracted to garbage and pet food. Coyotes can also be attracted to birdfeeders because the birdfeeders attract rodents and squirrels.
Coyote attacks on people are extremely rare. According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, there have only been 16 reported attacks on humans NATIONWIDE in the past 30 years.